Light-dependent reactions & Calvin cycle visualized step-by-step
Photons arrive at chloroplasts — excite electrons in photosystems II & I.
H₂O → 2H⁺ + ½O₂ + 2e⁻. Oxygen is produced and released.
Electrons move through ETC → produce ATP & reduce NADP⁺ to NADPH.
CO₂ enters stroma, combines with RuBP → PGA (catalyzed by Rubisco).
PGA reduced using ATP & NADPH → G3P → glucose (C₆H₁₂O₆).